Ohio University's student Republicans weren't about to let Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Biden get all the attention with his recent visit to the Lancaster campus.

So they formed their own group in time to host an already scheduled campaign rally Sunday in Lancaster for Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

"We realized that it was time for the Republicans (at Ohio University's Lancaster campus) to stand up," said Alisha Taylor, a junior majoring in education. She learned the procedures for starting a student organization and asked Alan Middleton, a professor of business management technology, to serve as adviser for the group, Republicans on Campus.

Their fast work paid off. An estimated 5,000 people attended McCain's "Road to Victory" rally at the Lancaster campus Sunday night, with the Republicans on Campus greeting those who stood in a line that stretched more than halfway around Brasee Hall.

"This was beyond our expectations; it was thrilling to see so many young people here," said Craig Heath, a sophomore majoring in history.

"Now we have to develop our ROC leadership and pound the pavement," Heath said.